In Matthew 5:3, in the sermon on the mount, He said,
“'Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.'" I can't quite get a handle on what He meant, and it's bothersome. Can anyone help me?
Thank you and God bless you!
2006-10-26 09:52:40 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I had it explained to me once that it means being humble, realizing that everything that you have is because of God.
2006-10-26 09:56:32 · answer #1 · answered by flashypsw 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The poor in spirit: in the Old Testament, the poor (anawim) are those who are without material possessions and whose confidence is in God (see Isaiah 61:1; Zephaniah 2:3; in the NAB the word is translated lowly and humble, respectively, in those texts). Matthew added in spirit in order either to indicate that only the devout poor were meant or to extend the beatitude to all, of whatever social rank, who recognized their complete dependence on God.
2006-10-26 09:58:46 · answer #2 · answered by Dysthymia 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you come to realize just how sinful you are and that even as a Christian you are so weak and can do nothing apart from Christ your spirit loses its sense of pride. Then when the Lord chastens you and humbles you you really become poor in spirit.
2006-10-26 09:58:08 · answer #3 · answered by beek 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Say, believe, and prepare "no longer my will, yet yours (Jesus') be performed." pay attention and word of the Holy Spirit's course on your daily lifestyles. be waiting to obey while asked. Love others. Be a promise keeper. Be type. be waiting to furnish others an answer approximately why you believe in Jesus. Be responsible on your very own strikes.
2016-12-28 05:48:25 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it might be those who are poor because of their work with the spirit,example the saints, they usually live a poor live in missions but are filled with the spirit. this is only my opinion never really thought of it before,nice question and hopes this helps a little atleast. god bless and keep you safe.
2006-10-26 09:57:34 · answer #5 · answered by fenian1916 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's what my favorite commentator says on this verse hope it help. Blessings to you.
"Poor in spirit - Luke says simply, Blessed are the poor. It has been disputed whether Christ meant the poor in reference to the things of this life, or to the humble. The gospel is said to be preached to the poor, (Luk_4:18; Mat_11:5.) It was predicted that the Messiah would preach to the poor, Isa_61:1. It is said that they have special facilities for being saved, (Mat_19:23; Luk_18:24.) The state of such persons is therefore comparatively blessed, or happy. Riches produce care, anxiety, and dangers, and not the least is the danger of losing heaven by them. To be poor in spirit is to have a humble opinion of ourselves; to be sensible that we are sinners, and have no righteousness of our own; to be willing to be saved only by the rich grace and mercy of God; to be willing to be where God places us, to bear what he lays on us, to go where he bids us, and to die when he commands; to be willing to be in his hands, and to feel that we deserve no favor from him. It is opposed to pride, and vanity, and ambition. Such are happy:
1.Because there is more real enjoyment in thinking of ourselves as we are, than in being filled with pride and vanity.
2.Because such Jesus chooses to bless, and on them he confers his favors here.
3.Because theirs will be the kingdom of heaven hereafter.
It is remarkable that Jesus began his ministry in this manner, so unlike all others. Other teachers had taught that happiness was to be found in honor, or riches, or splendor, or sensual pleasure. Jesus overlooked all those things, and fixed his eye on the poor and the humble, and said that happiness was to be found in the lowly vale of poverty more than in the pomp and splendors of life."
2006-10-26 09:57:40 · answer #6 · answered by Almack 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those that are not rich in money and material possessions, struggles with issues in life but are saved and rich in spirit and never let go of their trust and faith in Jesus. They may not have here on Earth but after this their blessings of riches are in Heaven.
Bigez3804 said it best.
2006-10-26 09:57:27 · answer #7 · answered by CuriousGirl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First to answer the question I think Jesus is talking about humility.
In response to Seven... Jesus said help the poor but not enable them. They also have to try to help themselves and not rely on the government.
2006-10-26 10:00:28 · answer #8 · answered by Kelli L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it means that a person being poor in spirit( a begger)
and is able to say so - that they need help from God.
is blessed - what if you needed help but was too proud
to ask for it? where would you be then - without help.
2006-10-26 10:07:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think He meant the hopeless, people who are in despair,people that have been through a lot.Those things.He spoke in so many parables, you really have to ponder what He meant. GOD bless
2006-10-26 09:56:04 · answer #10 · answered by Piper 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The poor in spirit are those who are struggling in life, struggling with their faith, and hang on to Christ by a bare thread, but never ever letting go.
2006-10-26 09:55:17 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋